The word 'sent' well sums up Christ's consuming zeal. He was sent to accomplish His Father's will. He was sent to needy humanity for its redemption. He completed His task, and, so that this message might reach earth's remotest bounds, He established certain missionary principles. Three of these are expressed in words which Christ Himself uttered.
Pray
'Pray ye therefor the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest' (Matt. 9.38).
Christ places prayer at the very centre of missionary enterprise. If we want to see young people going out with the Gospel then we must pray. Organisation and method are secondary. The thrust comes from the fire generated on our knees.
Many of us pray just enough to ease the conscience but not enough to win a decided victory. where are those who will cry to God to send out labourers, commanding Him concerning the work of His hands? (Isa. 45.11).
True intercessory prayer is an agony. But not only that-it is glory; when the soul touches the throne of God, when the power of God flows through one who stands cleansed and available to intercede mightily before the Throne of God!
Oh for such pray-ers to stand in the gap and pour out their souls for the salvation of others!
Give
'Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over' (Luke 6.38).
Giving is a command, a responsibility and a great privilege. when men's souls are blessed their money is liberated into the work of God. Without necessary finance God's work cannot progress. It is not only preachers who are needed, but also those who will support them. We will be held responsible for the stewardship of that which the Lord has entrusted to us.
Do not be afraid to give to God, for you cannot out-give Him! Paul said to the Philippians: 'my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches by Christ Jesus' (Phil. 4.19). He was not speaking to preachers but to those who were supporting them. In verses 15-17 Paul commends them for their liberality and consistency. they were putting first things first and giving sacrificially. Paul assures them that God will not forsake them.
May God grant us the spirit of liberality, for this principal is essential if the work of God is to progress.
Go
'And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature' (Mark 16.15).
The meaning of the church's existence is to testify to the world of Christ's redemption. If we do not comply with this ministry we not only fail in one function, we deny our very nature.
A person's last words are always very important. The last words which Jesus spoke while on earth are found in Acts 1:8 'and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.' Jesus was instilling into his disciples this world-wide principle. he left them with these words ringing in their ears. They could not free themselves from this great vision. They had to go and tell this wonderful message-even to the uttermost part of the earth.
Many have responded and seen the Master save precious souls, yet there are so many more who should have gone-and who should go! Great Britain is rich, with her numbers of young people standing to sing missionary hymns, but making no further movement. How can you stand and see souls dying in their sin-and do nothing about it? To what extent are you united in purpose with the Lord, who left everything to save souls?
If you are not wholly involved in this great task, how much are you under the control of the Master? How can you pray that the Lord will bless your comfortable, self-contented existence when His heart is being wrung by the creeds of those who would have been rejoicing had you gone to tell them.
One day we will hear them! May God grant that they do not point the finger to you or me on that great day and cry: 'You are the one . We died because you did not tell us.'
Are you still singing 'I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord'-without going at all? When will we allow the divine passion and compulsion to possess us totally and thrust us out into His service.
Oh, may God liberate us and send us out to serve Him with all our hearts!
Who will go?
Will you respond to His call?
Will you?
Jesus is still saying: 'Go ye, and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.'
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Colin Peckham (1936 - 2009)
Was Principal of Faith Mission Bible College, Edinburgh. Mary Peckham (nee Morrison) (1932-2010) was born on the Isle-of-Lewis and was converted in the 1949 revival. She spent fourteen years in evangelistic ministry, seeing true revival on two occasions in her ministry, before marrying Colin in 1969. They are both survived by three adult children and two grandchildren.A life of blessing and fullness stretched before me; a life to be maintained as a constant walk in the Spirit by the vital elements of faith and obedience. On Monday 9th November 2009 at his home in Broxburn near Edinburgh, Scotland, Rev Dr Colin Peckham was suddenly and quietly called home to be with the Lord. There was a service of thanksgiving at Charlotte Chapel, West Rose Street, Edinburgh on Monday 16th November 2009 at 10.30am.